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Class AA
Week 8 Highlights
Player of the Week
Will Halpin, Shaker: In a game filled with late-game heroics, Halpin provided the Blue Bison the lead with 1:37 remaining when he drilled a 37-yard field goal — with room to spare — and teammate Patrick Hoey preserved Shaker’s 23-21 victory over Shenendehowa by blocking a last-second field goal try.

Play of the Week
There were a number of huge plays to chose from, but none was more dramatic than the one delivered by Shaker’s Patrick Hoey, who stormed through a gap and blocked a potential game-winning goal by Shenendehowa as the Blue Bison held on for a pulse-pounding 23-21 quarterfinal win.

Game of the Week
Shaker 23, Shenendehowa 21: A difficult choice, given the wild nature of Guilderland’s 38-35 win over Colonie, but the twists and turns in the fourth quarter of the fourth consecutive. Shen erased a 20-7 deficit, fell behind 23-21 and then drove for a potential win in the final minute. Patrick Hoey’s blocked field goal helped secure the win and a semifinal date Friday vs. Saratoga.

Week 9 Game to WatchSaratoga at Shaker: Each of these 8-1 squads has a loss to an opponent in the other half of the bracket from Week 4 — Saratoga lost to CBA and Shaker fell to Guilderland in overtime. Saratoga is flourishing this season after back-to-back 3-6 campaigns and Shaker is attempting to win its second sectional title after never previously playing in a Super Bowl prior to 2012.

Class AWeek 8 Highlights
Player of the WeekBryan Stanavich, Amsterdam: The running back rushed for 208 yards and three touchdowns (runs covering 44, 80 and 35 yards), plus added a 30-yard TD catch, as the Rugged Rams rallied to beat Averill Park 48-34.

Play of the Week
Trailing 28-20 at halftime, Amsterdam had endured 21 straight points scored by Averill Park in the second quarter. Bryan Stanavich enjoyed a monster performance for the Rugged Rams, including an 80-yard touchdown run to get the scoring started in the third quarter. That played helped turn things in Amsterdam’s favor as the Rugged Rams won at Averill Park for the second time this season with a 48-34 verdict over the Warriors.

Game of the WeekAmsterdam 48, Averill Park 34: The only competitive game among the four quarterfinal contests was a sequel to a Week 1 showdown where Amsterdam prevailed 56-44. This time, Amsterdam built a 20-7, fell behind 28-20 and then used the all-around exploits of Bryan Stanavich to finally draw away.

Week 9 Game to WatchBurnt Hills at Troy: The first time these two teams clashed in Week 2, the rain poured down and the Spartans actually fumbled the ball 10 times but only lost two. Burnt Hills survived to win an epic 18-12 tussle in four overtimes. The Spartans have won 16 straight Section II playoff games and seek a sixth straight Super Bowl and Troy is looking for a second sectional title since 2010.